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Public Works Utilities Director Jobs in Reston, VA

Director, Utilities We are seeking an experienced Construction Superintendent to lead day-to-day ... Support public relations efforts on projects impacting traffic or communities. Cost Awareness

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Public Works Utilities Director information

See Reston, VA salary details

$49.9K

$140.6K

$212.8K

How much do public works utilities director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for public works utilities director in Reston, VA is $140,559.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,800.00 and $168,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a public works utilities director in managing multiple utility systems?

Public Works Utilities Directors often oversee a variety of utility systems such as water, wastewater, and stormwater, each with its own regulatory requirements and operational complexities. Balancing budget constraints while ensuring infrastructure reliability and regulatory compliance can be challenging, especially during emergencies or periods of rapid community growth. Effective communication and coordination with other municipal departments, contractors, and the public are essential to address these challenges and maintain high service standards. Directors also need to stay current with evolving technologies and environmental regulations to ensure efficient and sustainable operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public works utilities director?

To thrive as a Public Works Utilities Director, you need a strong background in civil engineering, public administration, and utility operations, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree and relevant professional licenses. Familiarity with GIS mapping systems, asset management software, and regulatory compliance tools is typically required. Leadership, strategic planning, and effective communication are essential soft skills for managing teams and engaging with stakeholders. These competencies ensure efficient utility operations, regulatory compliance, and the delivery of reliable public services.

What is a public works utilities director?

Public Works Utilities Directors are senior officials responsible for overseeing the operations, maintenance, and strategic planning of public utility services, such as water, wastewater, stormwater, and sometimes electricity or gas, within a city or municipality. They manage budgets, staff, regulatory compliance, and infrastructure projects to ensure the reliable delivery of essential services to the public. These directors often collaborate with other government agencies, contractors, and the community to address utility-related issues and improve service efficiency. Their role is vital in maintaining public health, safety, and environmental standards.

What is the difference between Public Works Utilities Director vs Water Plant Supervisor?

AspectPublic Works Utilities DirectorWater Plant Supervisor
CredentialsEngineering degree or related certification, state licensingWater treatment certification, relevant technical training
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple departments including water, sewer, and public worksManages daily operations of a water treatment plant
Employer & IndustryMunicipal government, public utilitiesPublic utility or municipal water department
Search & ComparisonOften compared for leadership roles in public utilitiesCompared for technical and operational roles in water treatment

The Public Works Utilities Director oversees multiple departments within public utilities, including water services, sewer, and infrastructure, requiring broader management skills and certifications. In contrast, the Water Plant Supervisor focuses specifically on the daily operations of a water treatment plant, emphasizing technical expertise. Both roles are essential in municipal water management but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What job categories do people searching Public Works Utilities Director jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Public Works Utilities Director jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Public Works Utilities Director jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Public Works Utilities Director job openings:

Deputy Director of Public Works - Operations

Town of Leesburg, VA

Leesburg, VA • On-site

$102K - $226K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Salary: $102,035.00 - $226,556.00 Annually
Location : 552 Fort Evans Road, VA
Job Type: RFT
Job Number: 01297
Department: Department of Public Works
Opening Date: 07/09/2026
About the Town of Leesburg and Nature of Work
Do you want to apply your expertise for a cause you can feel good about? Do you want to work for an organization that wants you to grow with it and offers tuition reimbursement, certification training, and a chance to learn about multiple industries? Come work for the Town of Leesburg, hometown of the 21st century! Located 35 miles west of the nation's capital in the heart of DC's Wine Country, you'll enjoy a vibrant and authentic community with "big city" amenities. The Town of Leesburg strongly encourages innovation, promotes career development, and offers excellent benefits to employees. Benefits include membership to the Town's full-service recreation center, enrollment into the Virginia Retirement System, excellent healthcare insurance, and other fringe benefits.
Who We're Looking For
If you identify with the following descriptions, then you may be perfect for the Town of Leesburg:
  • Creative problem solver
  • Proactive self-starter
  • Life-long learner
  • Strong team player
  • Passionate about excellent customer service
  • Positive, can-do attitude
  • Effective communicator
  • Desire to impart knowledge to others
  • "Early adopter" of new technologies

What You'll Be Doing
This position involves responsible leadership, supervisory, and administrative work directing the Department of Public Work's Operations, including the Divisions of Streets, Buildings and Grounds, Fleet, Stormwater, Solid Waste Services, and Urban Forestry. Work involves responsibility for planning, organizing, directing, and prioritizing tasks; developing and managing budgets, long and short-range asset maintenance and replacement plans, coordination of services between various Town departments, as well as responding to emergencies including coordination of snow removal.
For more detailed job descriptions, please visit the Town's Job Descriptions page.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field and at least eight (8) years of experience in public works operations and construction
  • Minimum of two (2) years of experience preparing and managing budgets for public works teams
  • Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience managing a variety of workers and project types
  • OSHA 10 Certificate or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire
  • Possession of a valid driver's license and a safe driving record

Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field and extensive managerial experience
  • Experience with asset management, capital replacement planning, and systems
  • Experience supervising public sector maintenance and operations teams
  • Virginia PE license
  • OSHA 30 Certificate
  • VDOT Intermediate Work Zone Traffic Control Training and Flagger Certification
  • Bilingual in English/Spanish

Employee BenefitsThe Town offers competitive compensation, affordable health insurance coverage, participation in the Virginia Retirement System, an optional 457(b) retirement plan with a Town matching contribution, flexible spending accounts, voluntary benefits, employee assistance program (EAP), membership to the Town's full-service recreation center, an optional payroll Roth IRA, and generous paid time off. For more information on the Town's robust benefits package, please visit the Town's Employee Benefits page.
EOE/ADA